Kuwaiti delegation visits Portugal to boost maritime cooperation, combat drug trafficking

An official delegation from Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior, visited the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre in Lisbon, Portugal, on January 15th. The visit aimed to review the Centre’s activities and exchange experiences in the field of maritime navigation.

The head of the Kuwaiti delegation, Brigadier General Mohammed Qabazard, stated in a statement to KUNA that the purpose of the visit was to learn about the operational mechanisms of the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre. He emphasized that the visit aimed to strengthen cooperation between the two parties to achieve the desired objectives in maritime security and navigation management.

Brigadier General Qabazard added that the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre, based in Lisbon, is open to future cooperation and the exchange of experiences with Kuwait.

Kuwait’s Ambassador to Portugal, H. E. Hamad Ali Al-Hazeem, mentioned in a similar statement to KUNA that the embassy in Lisbon organized the visit of the delegation, which was headed by Brigadier General Mohamed Qabazard, the Director General of the General Directorate for Drug Control. The delegation also included Colonel Ali Bou Abbas.

Ambassador Al-Hazeem stressed the importance of such official visits between the two countries, noting that they provide an opportunity to observe maritime operations related to maritime traffic and the security measures that follow, particularly in the context of combating the maritime transport of drugs.

Furthermore, Ambassador Al-Hazeem explained that Portugal possesses extensive experience in this field, given its strategic position as the maritime gateway to Europe from Latin America. With a coastline that stretches over 1,800 kilometers, Portugal plays a key role in monitoring navigation traffic in collaboration with other European countries.

Ambassador Al-Hazeem stated that the coordination of the Kuwaiti delegation’s visit to the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre was based on the Centre’s prominent role in maritime traffic control. He highlighted the Centre’s expertise in identifying, disrupting, and dismantling the command structures of organized crime, as well as its success in combating illicit drug trafficking by both sea and air.

In conclusion, Ambassador Al-Hazeem added that the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre, which was launched in 2007 through the initiative of eight European countries, have expanded its operations in recent years to include countries beyond Europe. The Centre has established partnerships with key European maritime and security organizations and agencies, and it has signed memorandums of understanding with authorities in countries such as Brazil, Colombia, and Senegal.